Hospitals foundation launches campaign for neuro-navigator

A monitor displays CT scans of a brain tumor alongside a 3D image of the patientB次元官网网址檚 head.

In a Victoria General Hospital operating room, head of neurosurgery Dr. Stephen Hentschel used the technology see exactly where his implements were inside the skull as he removed the tumor that was pressing against Kate PlummerB次元官网网址檚 optic nerve, threatening her eyesight.

B次元官网网址淚t allows us to navigate deep within the brain, to know where we are at all times to minimize complications and avoid critical structures,B次元官网网址� Hentschel said.

The neuro-navigation system helped make PlummerB次元官网网址檚 surgery a success and has become the standard of care for the 250 brain and spine surgeries performed annually at VGH. It can also be used for nasal surgery and anywhere else where fractions of millimeters matter. But the seven-year-old machine is becoming outdated.

The Victoria Hospitals Foundation is now seeking donations towards the purchase of a new $361,000 machine with its spring fundraising campaign.

B次元官网网址淲hile the existing system provides a quality of care, the new advanced technology will of course improve patient outcomes and improve the surgeonB次元官网网址檚 precision,B次元官网网址� said foundation board chair Starr McMichael.

When the hospital purchased itB次元官网网址檚 existing neuro-navigation system, the technology was still new and there was only one company making them. Now there are four models to choose from.

B次元官网网址淓ach has its own bells and whistles, and weB次元官网网址檒l be evaluating them to find the one that best meets our needs,B次元官网网址� Hentschel said.

New machines are fully wireless, so doctors donB次元官网网址檛 need to fuss with a cord. They also have more user friendly operating systems and process images faster.

B次元官网网址淚t means we can work faster and hopefully increase the number of surgeries we perform,B次元官网网址� Hentschel said.

The existing machine will likely still be used within the hospital after itB次元官网网址檚 replaced. Hentschel said it could be passed onto another area of care where surgeries require somewhat less precision, such as orthopedics.

B次元官网网址淥ther specialties are moving towards this type of technology,B次元官网网址� Hentschel said. B次元官网网址淭he old machine wonB次元官网网址檛 go unused.B次元官网网址�

People can donate to the new neuro-navigation machine by calling 250-414-6688 or online at www.victoriahf.ca.

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